Smug Snake/Literature: Difference between revisions

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{{trope}}
{{trope}}
* ''[[Harry Potter]]''
* ''[[Harry Potter]]''
** [[Harry Potter (Franchise)/Characters|Dolores Jane Umbridge]] in ''[[Harry Potter and The Order of The Phoenix]]'' is a purposeful Smug Snake. A sugary sweet [[Stepford Smiler]] who is [[Fantastic Racism|biased against non- and half-humans]] and [[Obstructive Bureaucrat|uses laws and technicalities]] to get her way, Umbridge is one COLOSSAL bitch, who tourtures children during detention.
** [[Harry Potter/Characters|Dolores Jane Umbridge]] in ''[[Harry Potter and The Order of The Phoenix]]'' is a purposeful Smug Snake. A sugary sweet [[Stepford Smiler]] who is [[Fantastic Racism|biased against non- and half-humans]] and [[Obstructive Bureaucrat|uses laws and technicalities]] to get her way, Umbridge is one COLOSSAL bitch, who tourtures children during detention.
** Draco Malfoy. {{spoiler|He gets better, but not before being completely [[Break the Haughty|broken]].}}
** Draco Malfoy. {{spoiler|He gets better, but not before being completely [[Break the Haughty|broken]].}}
** Draco's dad Lucius is one too (apparently being a Smug Snake runs in the family). He's very smart and has the polish of a [[Magnificent Bastard]], but his arrogance and certainty that [[Villain with Good Publicity|he can get away with anything]] lead to some sloppy mistakes. By the end of the series both Malfoys turn out weirdly pathetic after they are forcibly shown that a [[Complete Monster]] [[Evil Overlord]] does ''not'' a good houseguest make.
** Draco's dad Lucius is one too (apparently being a Smug Snake runs in the family). He's very smart and has the polish of a [[Magnificent Bastard]], but his arrogance and certainty that [[Villain with Good Publicity|he can get away with anything]] lead to some sloppy mistakes. By the end of the series both Malfoys turn out weirdly pathetic after they are forcibly shown that a [[Complete Monster]] [[Evil Overlord]] does ''not'' a good houseguest make.
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* Two villains from the [[Forgotten Realms]] trilogy ''[[Counselors and Kings]]'' stand out. Lord Procopio Septus is a canny and ambitious politician, but he's shortsighted and very proud, which make it possible for him to be [[Out-Gambitted]] comparatively easily if you know what you're doing. {{spoiler|Dhamari Exchelsor}}, though he puts on a friendly facade, is a treacherous and venal little man often compared to a weasel or ferret both in terms of appearance and demeanor. He's sneaky, but he's too petty to have a real [[Magnificent Bastard]]'s grasp of the big picture.
* Two villains from the [[Forgotten Realms]] trilogy ''[[Counselors and Kings]]'' stand out. Lord Procopio Septus is a canny and ambitious politician, but he's shortsighted and very proud, which make it possible for him to be [[Out-Gambitted]] comparatively easily if you know what you're doing. {{spoiler|Dhamari Exchelsor}}, though he puts on a friendly facade, is a treacherous and venal little man often compared to a weasel or ferret both in terms of appearance and demeanor. He's sneaky, but he's too petty to have a real [[Magnificent Bastard]]'s grasp of the big picture.
** Ironically {{spoiler|Dhamari}} did at one point ''artificially'' turn himself into something approaching a [[Magnificent Bastard]]- upon capturing an amulet enspelled to protect it's wearer from him, he wore it himself, and was protected ''from himself'', causing him to become much more cunning, manipulative, and successful. Once he lost it, though, it was a quick trip back to Smug Snake-hood.
** Ironically {{spoiler|Dhamari}} did at one point ''artificially'' turn himself into something approaching a [[Magnificent Bastard]]- upon capturing an amulet enspelled to protect it's wearer from him, he wore it himself, and was protected ''from himself'', causing him to become much more cunning, manipulative, and successful. Once he lost it, though, it was a quick trip back to Smug Snake-hood.
* Fulbert from the French novel ''[[Malevil]]''. He's an evil priest with a tiny, weak [[Corrupt Church]] and a [[Zero-Percent Approval Rating]]. The only reason he isn't overthrown is because he tricked everyone into giving him the food and weapons, he sits in his fortified manor where nobody can touch him.
* Fulbert from the French novel ''[[Malevil]]''. He's an evil priest with a tiny, weak [[Corrupt Church]] and a [[0% Approval Rating]]. The only reason he isn't overthrown is because he tricked everyone into giving him the food and weapons, he sits in his fortified manor where nobody can touch him.
* Gustav Fiers, aka The Gentleman from the [[Spider-Man]] novelisations, ''The Sinister Six Trilogy''. He certainly ''thinks'' he's a [[Magnificent Bastard]], and looks and acts the part, being an excellent [[Manipulative Bastard]] and [[Chessmaster]], and [[Man of Wealth and Taste]] who successfully manipulates the whole of the Sinister Six, has evaded law enforcement for years, and refers to himself as an "investor in chaos". Yet he fails to earn the audience's respect due to his contemptuous attitude and his unpleasant personality, utter heinousness (only his genuine affection for his equally monstrous brother, [[Terrorist Without a Cause|Karl]], keeps him off the [[Complete Monster]] list), and underestimation of Spider-Man, The Chameleon, and Dr. Octopus put him squarely in this trope.
* Gustav Fiers, aka The Gentleman from the [[Spider-Man]] novelisations, ''The Sinister Six Trilogy''. He certainly ''thinks'' he's a [[Magnificent Bastard]], and looks and acts the part, being an excellent [[Manipulative Bastard]] and [[Chessmaster]], and [[Man of Wealth and Taste]] who successfully manipulates the whole of the Sinister Six, has evaded law enforcement for years, and refers to himself as an "investor in chaos". Yet he fails to earn the audience's respect due to his contemptuous attitude and his unpleasant personality, utter heinousness (only his genuine affection for his equally monstrous brother, [[Terrorist Without a Cause|Karl]], keeps him off the [[Complete Monster]] list), and underestimation of Spider-Man, The Chameleon, and Dr. Octopus put him squarely in this trope.
* Count Olaf of ''[[A Series of Unfortunate Events]]'' is a ''huge'' one. He has some pretty [[Paper-Thin Disguise|Paper Thin Disguises]] (to the Baudelaires, at least) and he constantly remarks about how evil and cunning he is. Also, he suffers from plot-relevant [[Villain Decay]] and he clearly lacks common sense (seeing as he asks the Baudelaires to buy some roast beef with their fortune when he knows they're not eligible yet).
* Count Olaf of ''[[A Series of Unfortunate Events]]'' is a ''huge'' one. He has some pretty [[Paper-Thin Disguise|Paper Thin Disguises]] (to the Baudelaires, at least) and he constantly remarks about how evil and cunning he is. Also, he suffers from plot-relevant [[Villain Decay]] and he clearly lacks common sense (seeing as he asks the Baudelaires to buy some roast beef with their fortune when he knows they're not eligible yet).
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